CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
One of the core principles of medical ethics is confidentiality. The Hippocratic Oath and the various codes of medical ethics derived from it including that of the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council, emphasize that the patient has the right to confidentiality and privacy even after they have died (National Library of Medicine, 2002).
The principle that a patient’s medical information including his/her identity remains undisclosed is usually balanced with situations in which a discretionary breach of confidentiality is necessary in order to protect the community from imminent danger (Odia, 2008).
During the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria, perhaps because of early confusion, panic and a desire to demonstrate that the situation was being addressed, the name of the index case together with his status and the fact that he had Italian nationality was freely provided to the media. The hospital where he was being treated was also identified. This was a clear breach of patient privacy and could cause lots of damages.
The right to personal privacy is an important principle within many cultures. However, the increasingly sophisticated use of information and communications technologies is constantly threatening to erode people’s privacy (Eteng, 2014). Within the healthcare sector there is a need to constantly balance patients’ requirements for personal privacy against the potential benefits that may accrue to society as a whole from the more widespread use of their personal information. This issue is particularly relevant in developed countries which have been seeking to use information technology to improve both the quality of care provided for patients and organisational efficiency. Within Australia and New Zealand, two key strategic aims have been the introduction of electronic health records (EHR) systems and the enhancement of electronic communications links between the primary care sector and secondary care institutions (Ajuwon, 2015. These aims are similar to the strategy of the UK Department of Health.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
From the patient’s perspective, confidentiality is essential to the patient physician relationship. Unless a patient can be sure that personal information will not be distributed against their wishes, they may be reluctant to disclose sensitive information that may be crucial to their correct treatment.
Data breaches can lead to legal exposure (Adler, Demicco, & Neiditz, 2015), financial harm, and reputational damage), resulting in provider and business associates losses (Sacopulos & Segal, 2014). In 2012, approximately two-thirds of breaches were related to errors and system malfunctions and roughly 47% of breaches represented theft and hacking.
Accidental loss resulting from device theft represented approximately 77% of healthcare eaders utilizing the findings presented in this study to minimize data security risk factors, protect sensitive healthcare data, and reduce costs associated with breach mitigation and response activities.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to evaluate confidentiality as an essential aspect in patient information in an hospital. The specific objectives of the study are to ;
- Determine the Patient information needs of Doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- Find out the patient information seeking and confidentiality behavior methods amongst medical doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- Identify the patient information sources and confidentiality used by Medical Doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- Assess the frequency of patient information use by doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- Examine the role of confidentiality as an essential aspect of patient information in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What are the patient information needs of doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- What are the patient information seeking methods utilized amongst doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- What are the patient information sources and confidentiality used by doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- What is the frequency of use associated with patient information sources and confidentiality of doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja.
- What are the roles of confidentiality as an essential aspect of patient information in National Assembly Clinic?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study would serve as a further research to the existing body of knowledge in the editorials of patient information seeking and confidentiality behaviors of doctors. This study will likewise help the doctors by highlighting the needs and challenges associated with information seeking by doctors. Little has been carried out on patient information seeking and confidentiality behaviors of medical doctors in National Assembly Clinic Abuja. The outcome of this research study will be value to doctors by revealing a variety of information sources which would equip them in making informed decision that will contribute to medical results.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study covers doctors in National Assembly Clinic, Abuja. The sample of the study will determine the extent to which the result will be generalized.
1.7 OPERATIONAL USE OF TERMS
CONFIDENTIALITY: The state of keeping or being kept secret or private.
PATIENT INFORMATION: patient information is a data related to a person's medical history, including symptoms, diagnosis, procedures and outcomes.
INFORMATION BEHAVIOR: Information behavior is the totality of human behavior in relation to sources and channels of information, including both active and passive information seeking and information use.
INFORMATION SEEKING: Is referred to as a conscious attempt to acquire information in response to a need or gap in your knowledge.
PATIENT INFORMATION SEEKING AND CONFIDENTIALITY BEHAVIOR (HISB): Can be defined as the essential information required by doctors in order to develop good wellbeing.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CLINIC: A teaching hospital is a hospital or medical centre that provides medical education and training to future and current health professionals.
DOCTORS:A physician, medical practitioner, medical doctor, or simply doctor is a professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting , maintaining , or restoring health through the study.
